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Two Regional Spelling Bees were held on Tuesday at the Wood Lake Meeting Center in Rochester. Forty-eight students participated in the two spelling bees. Students from 29 districts throughout southeast Minnesota advanced to compete in the regional competitions coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative.

The top 12 spellers (six from each spelling bee) now advance to the Final Spelling Bee at 9 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Wood Lake Meeting Center (210 Wood Lake Drive SE, Rochester). The event is anticipated to be done around 11 a.m. The grand champion of the final will advance to the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Students advancing to the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee include:

• Jessica Bird, sixth grade, Hollandale Christian School